Narrative:

Ramp control did a very poor job in traffic control on the ramp in rainy; windy; and night conditions. When pushing back from the gate; ramp control requested that we 'push deep to allow the aircraft to push back also.' unbeknownst to us an aircraft was approaching us from our rear to taxi into a nearby gate. Ramp control never said a word about the aircraft approaching us from behind. During our push back; I urged the tug driver to 'push deep;' so that the nearby aircraft could continue his push back. The tug driver was reluctant to keep pushing the aircraft and he slowed down his push and then stated 'what the heck is going on here; and where is that aircraft behind us going.' the tug driver then stopped the push and the aircraft behind us departed the ramp taxi line and somehow was able to get behind our aircraft at an abnormal angle and enter the gate. When I saw that the taxiing aircraft was going to attempt this maneuver; I asked the tug driver to watch that aircraft's wingtip and our tail. It was minimum clearance and appeared to be just a few feet of clearance to me. The tug driver was surprised as well. During this entire incident; ramp control had no instructions for any of the 3 aircraft involved. When I then inquired to ramp control why they didn't tell us about the incoming aircraft they stated 'incoming aircraft are on their own.' exactly why is it we have ramp control at all; if 'aircraft taxiing in are on their own;' as ramp control informed me? What exactly are they 'controlling?' certainly not my aircraft; and certainly not the incoming aircraft in this case. And but for the alertness of a worker who was in the tug; it almost resulted in a ground strike. Ramp control was not [effectively] in charge of traffic in the alley. Ramp control should have told the aircraft pushing back; what was going on; and should never have allowed the inbound aircraft to continue when ramp control could easily see that a problem was developing. I commented to the ramp controller that I didn't like what just occurred and I would like to request that henceforth we be notified of conflicting traffic even if it approaches us from behind. Suggestions: any aircraft that is pushing back needs to be informed if he is conflicting with an inbound aircraft; and blocking that aircraft's gate. If no notice is given to the aircraft pushing back; then ramp control needs to be very 'hands on' and actively control outbound and inbound aircraft; especially at night and especially in the rain.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier under Ramp Control described a ground conflict and near collision with another aircraft when Ramp Control allegedly failed to provide adequate information and direction.

Narrative: Ramp Control did a very poor job in traffic control on the ramp in rainy; windy; and night conditions. When pushing back from the gate; Ramp Control requested that we 'push deep to allow the aircraft to push back also.' Unbeknownst to us an aircraft was approaching us from our rear to taxi into a nearby gate. Ramp Control never said a word about the aircraft approaching us from behind. During our push back; I urged the tug driver to 'push deep;' so that the nearby aircraft could continue his push back. The tug driver was reluctant to keep pushing the aircraft and he slowed down his push and then stated 'what the heck is going on here; and where is that aircraft behind us going.' The tug driver then stopped the push and the aircraft behind us departed the ramp taxi line and somehow was able to get behind our aircraft at an abnormal angle and enter the gate. When I saw that the taxiing aircraft was going to attempt this maneuver; I asked the tug driver to watch that aircraft's wingtip and our tail. It was minimum clearance and appeared to be just a few feet of clearance to me. The tug driver was surprised as well. During this entire incident; Ramp Control had no instructions for any of the 3 aircraft involved. When I then inquired to Ramp Control why they didn't tell us about the incoming aircraft they stated 'incoming aircraft are on their own.' Exactly why is it we have Ramp Control at all; if 'aircraft taxiing in are on their own;' as Ramp Control informed me? What exactly are they 'controlling?' Certainly not my aircraft; and certainly not the incoming aircraft in this case. And but for the alertness of a worker who was in the tug; it almost resulted in a ground strike. Ramp Control was not [effectively] in charge of traffic in the alley. Ramp Control should have told the aircraft pushing back; what was going on; and should never have allowed the inbound aircraft to continue when Ramp Control could easily see that a problem was developing. I commented to the Ramp Controller that I didn't like what just occurred and I would like to request that henceforth we be notified of conflicting traffic even if it approaches us from behind. Suggestions: any aircraft that is pushing back needs to be informed if he is conflicting with an inbound aircraft; and blocking that aircraft's gate. If no notice is given to the aircraft pushing back; then Ramp Control needs to be very 'hands on' and actively control outbound and inbound aircraft; especially at night and especially in the rain.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.